A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is set in the same universe as the films, and takes place several months before the release of the first A Quiet Place film and after its premiere. It shares the atmosphere, tension and sound design that defines the film, while telling a parallel story with new characters and locations. The game does not feature any of the people or locations from the film, instead focusing on a unique narrative that complements the broader game. The world of A Quiet Place.
In the same vein as the film, we begin with a brief glimpse of protagonist Alex and her boyfriend Martin before disaster strikes. Fast forward 44 days and we find them anxiously exploring abandoned buildings, looking for food and supplies. This benign setting in a dangerous world quickly takes a tragic turn, leading to another time skip, where the main storyline unfolds 119 days after the Death Angels claim the first victim we see in the game.
Post-apocalyptic silence
In a world where silence is essential, protagonist Alex suffers from asthma and must take a strategic approach to pumping and using drugs throughout the game. You often find yourself walking slowly through an environment littered with broken glass, branches, and debris. Patience is key in this game, as control over Alex’s speed is directly dependent on the amount of pressure you apply to the controller. No harm can come to the Death Angels, so one mistake could result in a sudden apocalypse. The ever-present threat of danger creates a tense and thrilling atmosphere, and the useful auto-save feature can’t be diminished either.
Gramophone to the Rescue
The phonetic scale displays the loudness of surrounding sounds on the left and the loudness of your own noise on the right. Sound detection systems evaluate factors such as loudness, duration, and frequency of sounds. Depending on the difficulty you choose, loud noises won’t kill you immediately, but repeated excessive noises over time will kill you.
If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, the game includes an optional microphone noise detection feature that is disabled by default. It can be easily activated from the menu. A microphone icon in the bottom right corner of the screen will let you know if input is being recognized, and if the audio range is set correctly, you’ll be holding your breath longer than you’d like. I love horror games, and this game is one of the best that makes full use of its gameplay features.
As previously mentioned, Alex’s asthma is a serious problem and poses a major threat to his survival. Not only are inhalers scattered throughout the game, especially in shelters, but locating them isn’t always simple. As the game progresses, it’s important to keep a good supply of inhalers, especially during more frequent attacks.
When threatened, Alex can attempt a skill check to avoid a potential crisis, but getting the timing right is essential. Ultimately, asthma management plays a key role in survival mechanics, and players must balance movement and environmental awareness to keep Alex safe and undetected.
Overall, the game features some of the best audio gameplay you’ve come to expect from A Quiet Place, making it an incredible survival horror game that will make your protagonist asthmatic want to breathe in any type of water.
‘A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead’ is now available for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Fans of the franchise will love the story and pacing. Breathe quietly.
surprising
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A Quiet Place: The Road Forward Reviewed on PS5 – Code provided by Saber Interactive
developer: Stormmind Games
publisher: saber interactive
engine: Unreal Engine
platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S via Steam
Genre: horror
method: single player
price: $29.99 | £24.99 | €29.99
Release date: October 17, 2024
